Does The maple wood change color over time?

[Tsuekasa]

Noob question on 16 here, just want to know a little more about my guitar. I had this guitar almost 2 years the wood is a darker orange than the mim tele's in guitar center.

[BritishBluesBoy]

Yes... Maple does get darker with age. Especially if it is exposed to sunlight...

[Legba]

Is it the wood, Finish or both that darkens?

[Vizcaster]

Both.

[Legba]

Originally Posted by Vizcaster

Both.

You answer quick! Thanks.

[Big John]

So, the finish doesn't protect the wood then ?, i have some gorgeous early victorian picture frames in a birds eye maple that is still quite pale, certainly nowhere near what guitar players would call amber, just a light golden colour.
I figured they have been in a house out of the sunlight and the finish (french polish ?) has protected the wood.
I also thought the amber colour of older Fender necks was just a combination of UV from sunlight having a photo reaction with the finish, some 70's necks had really heavily discoloured faces to the headstock where a different finish was applied to seal the decal than was used in the neck.
Exposed wood kinda looks grey and grimey.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by Big John

Exposed wood kinda looks grey and grimey.

That's my impression too. The eventual darkening is from dirt and sweatty hands I think.

[stevedenver]

and many woods 'oxidize'-maple, satin wood, sapel and pine will yellow, walnut will lighten to yellowish brown even without handling

[ajgus]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

That's my impression too. The eventual darkening is from dirt and sweatty hands I think.

Yeah, so when you see the typical wear on older or relicked maple boards the grey on their is basically ground in dirt, right?

[mikehixx]

Originally Posted by Tsuekasa

Noob question on 16 here, just want to know a little more about my guitar. I had this guitar almost 2 years the wood is a darker orange than the mim tele's in guitar center.

In addition, I feel like the MIM teles have a lighter neck now than they ever used to. I know the finishes have gotten more natural as they've gone with the satin finish, but the new ones seem even lighter.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by ajgus

Yeah, so when you see the typical wear on older or relicked maple boards the grey on their is basically ground in dirt, right?

Right!

[FirstBassman]

According to luthier extraordinaire and art professor Paul Wynczynski(http://www.academyart.edu/industrial...a_faculty.html) it is the finish.

I have been hanging my Rickenbacker 360/12 Mapleglo out since I got it hoping it will darken from its earlier almost off-white color to a rich light amber.

It's better but still has a long way to go.




Now, that I think about it, this picture was taken almost two years ago.
I should shoot an update.

[Tsuekasa]

Originally Posted by mikehixx

In addition, I feel like the MIM teles have a lighter neck now than they ever used to. I know the finishes have gotten more natural as they've gone with the satin finish, but the new ones seem even lighter.

Yeah they are really light colored. But I like mine to be orange; i believe the Hotrod 52 tele is like that.

[seafoamtele]

cigarette smoke in bars is a MAJOR yellower of maple necks. . . .

[Little Nip]

Very few finishes actually prevent oxidation of the wood. The color change is both the finish and the wood. A piece of masking tape will leave a clear outline on a freshly milled piece of maple or cherry (or apple Rich Rice) if it's put in direct sunlight for just a day.

It is interesting though that most North American Hardwoods will rapidly darken when exposed to sunlight but will eventually lose that color due to UV bleaching if they are exposed to direct sunlight daily.

[ajgus]

Originally Posted by seafoamtele

cigarette smoke in bars is a MAJOR yellower of maple necks. . . .

And Lungs!

[Wardpike]

Some woods darken with age, especially dense grain lighter woods.
Darker woods like mahogony (Honduran in particular) will lighten with age...

But consider that most wood used on guitars is finished, and you have to consider the effect of light on the lacquer!

Most lacquer also changes color with age! Most darkens with age.

I hope I've been hopeful,

Ward

[Ronkirn]

Yup, it's both the wood and the finish IF the finish is susceptible to UV light, Some, including contemporary lacquers contain a UV inhibitor to reduce (reduce being the key word) the UV's effect on the lumber. External chemistry, including smoke and nicotine, will also settle on the finish and stain it.

Those who are allowing their favorite axe to “suntan” by letting it bake in the sunlight, note the word “bake”. Allowing one side of a guitar to approach 100+ degrees while the back side is still hovering around the 72 your house was air conditioned to is begging for disaster. Use common sense, guitars weren’t intended to lay around in the sunlight getting a tan.

Ron Kirn